News of: Friday, 24th of December, 2010

Front Page

Over 84 percent households in Bangladesh became victims of corruption while receiving services from government and non-government institutions between June 2009 and May this year, revealed a Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) survey.

Microfinance institution Grameen Bank yesterday refuted reports of a section of media that Dr Muhammad Yunus had resigned from the post of its managing director, and said he has been "discharging his duties as usual".

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain yesterday came under fire from a parliamentary body for “faulty” probe into the Narsingdi train crash and “irregularities” in the bidding for the elevated expressway.

Sygma Shipping Line, the parent company of Indian flag carrier Ocean Pearl, has been served with a notice to answer by December 28 why the company would not be prosecuted for causing oil spill in the Bay.

Sammilito Ulama Mashayek Parishad, a religion-based political forum, will consider withdrawing the December 26 hartal if the government publishes a handout clearly stating its position regarding the parishad's demands about the National Education Policy.

Investigators yesterday petitioned before the International Crimes Tribunal to keep Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee detained till completion of the investigation into war crimes allegations against him.

The United States and Britain should immediately stop supporting a Bangladeshi anti-crime force blamed for killing hundreds of suspects without trial if there is no visible effort to reform it, a rights group said yesterday.

Greece's governing Socialists won a key budget vote in Parliament early yesterday, calling for deeper austerity measures in the crisis-hit country and promising to avoid default despite a soaring national debt.

Editorial

We in Bangladesh cannot but feel happy at the placing the country has been given on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Index of Democracy 2010. We have advanced to 83rd position from our earlier placing at 91st (which was back in 2008). We certainly feel encouraged but at the same time we might as well remind ourselves that this new report comes against a background of elected, democratic government in Bangladesh at this point of time. The 2008 report was prepared in light of the country being under emergency caretaker rule. Naturally, therefore, the general feeling is that in the current democratic dispensation we should be finding and indeed do find our state of politics at an elevated level. That said, it must also be noted that the EIU survey is a comparative study which even includes countries where not even a semblance of democracy is to be spotted. Even so, it feels good to know that we are better off than many other nations that profess to practise democracy.

Bangladesh's extreme vulnerability to climate change has been well recognized by the developed nations and especially by the relevant international forums. So, it is only expected that Bangladesh is a strong candidate to draw the Green Climate Fund pledged by the rich countries at the recently held Cancun Climate Summit.

Sports

India once again proved their supremacy in South Asian women's football when they defeated Nepal 1-0 at the Cox's Bazar Stadium yesterday to take home the inaugural SAFF Women's Football Championship trophy.

Coach Jamie Siddons expressed his frustration over the latest injury to country's leading paceman Mashrafe Bin Mortaza with less than two months to go for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

National football coach Robert Rubcic is visibly unhappy with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club's move to not releasing two players selected for the national U-23 side for Olympic pre-qualifiers against Kuwait.

The 2003 World Cup, the eighth cricket World Cup, was the first to be held in Africa. The co-hosts were South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The majority of the matches were played in South Africa, with Zimbabwe hosting six matches and Kenya two.

World chess champion Viswanathan Anand joined the growing list of top athletes on Thursday supporting the demand that iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar be conferred the Bharat Ratna -- the highest civilian honour in India.

The sun has made a welcome appearance in Durban to ease some of the concerns for the ground authorities, but Wilson Ngobese, the chief groundsman at Kingsmead, doesn't want to predict too much about the nature of the pitch for the Boxing Day Test.

European champions Inter Milan sacked coach Rafael Benitez on Thursday just a few days after he guided them to the World Club Cup title and looks set to be replaced by former AC Milan coach Brazilian Leonardo.

Miroslav Klose struck twice on Wednesday to help holders Bayern Munich advance into the German Cup quarterfinals with a 6-3 win at VfB Stuttgart, who were reduced to nine men and also missed a penalty.

Karim Benzema cemented his return to form with his second hattrick of the month and Cristiano Ronaldo also netted three goals as Real Madrid crushed lowly Levante 8-0 in their King's Cup last-16 first leg on Wednesday.

Argentina are looking to win the Copa America on home ground next year and end the doubts in fans' minds about Lionel Messi's commitment and ability when playing for his country, coach Sergio Batista said.

A Bangladeshi couple made a mark in Australia by way of an upmarket textile art. It is the art of making aboriginal fabrics, mastered by Sham Lohani and Momtaj Lohani. It is the art best expressed in patchworks and quilting.

Insurance giant American International Group is likely to announce next week the buyer for its Taiwan unit, Nan Shan Life, a report said Thursday as the firm tries to pay back its US government bailout.

Several European countries, including Germany, are working on a permanent euro rescue mechanism that would include the creation of a new and independent funding institution, a press report said Thursday.

A sedition case was filed against detained BNP stalwart Salauddin Quader Chowdhury with Fatikchhari Police Station in the city on Tuesday for his offensive remark on the 15 August killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

State Minister for Water Resources Md Mahbubur Rahman will visit Aila affected Dakope upazila of Khulna district today to see for himself progress of embankment works undertaken by Water Development Board (WDB).

As many as 48 Awami League men submitted their nomination papers for mayoral posts in the upcoming elections to seven municipalities scheduled for January 18 in Chandpur district, according to a correspondent.

At least five leaders and activists of Jubo League and Chhatra League were injured as the supporters of AL-nominated candidate and rival candidate of Hatiya municipality clashed near the Hatiya Upazila Complex on Wednesday, reports our correspondent.

Letters

History has hardly seen the like of the calculated annihilations of the intellectuals by their own people which happened in our country in 1971. The pictures of disfigured dead bodies and the mass killing sites are stark reminders of the heinous crimes the collaborators committed just two days before our victory, obviously with a motive to make the new nation crippled. They had also involved themselves in the genocide the Pakistani occupation forces carried out during the whole period of our Liberation War when three million people were killed. They were the members of Rajakar, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams and belonged to Jamaat-e-Islami, Nizam-e-Islam and Muslim League.

Chinese is the most dominant amongst the ethnic Mongolian languages in Asia. It is also a language spoken by the highest number of people in the world. There are about 30 different Mongolian Sino-Burman languages spoken by the Adivasi or indigenous people of this country, but their condition is pitiable.

The news published in The Daily Star on 12th December stated that our capacity of power generation is 6000 MW but only 4300 MW is being produced. The authorities blame the low quality equipment, old machines, etc. to hide the real reason behind this situation.

The cholera patients in Haiti are going through unbearable sufferings. On December 17, I have watched a news report on BBC about this. The cholera epidemic has claimed nearly 1200 lives. It has been almost a year since the epidemic started after the devastating earthquake hit the country. It has been alleged that the Nepalese UN peacekeeping mission have brought the disease there. Investigation is now going on. Haiti is in a big crisis. The international community must come forward to save Haiti from this disaster.

Undoubtedly, Shahrukh Khan is one of the most famous heroes in India. Recently, he along with his troupe performed gorgeously in Dhaka. The event was organised by some private organisation. Definitely, the cultural heritage and costumes of our country are pretty different than that of Mumbai. We must keep in mind that foreign cultural elements are gradually infesting our showbiz. People are more willing to accept foreign films, songs, etc., being exposed to them. Thus, our native cultural products are being neglected.

There has been no follow-up news on the interesting and important news report by Shamim Jahangir on the matter since last reported in your daily on 4th November. In our national interest, I feel as far as the report goes, we should take up this offer to set up an experimental 10MW power plant, based on coal gasification of the rather deep Jamalpur coal seam; which lies 500 to 1000 metres below the surface! Given the depth of the coal seam, possibly power generation by gasification should be a cost effective option for power generation, rather than mining it, in my opinion.

On December 18, 2010 I attended the 60th Anniversary programmes of Holy Cross College as a former student. Words are not enough to express my happiness to be a part of this educational institution. The college authorities arranged the grandest occasion with disciplined preparations. Arrangements of chairs according to batches in the pavilion next to the college field were set systematically, volunteers' services were highly noticeable and the performers enthralled us with their singing and beautiful presentations. With scintillating words and loud clapping the celebrations won the hearts of thousands present there as the audience. All of us were very much thrilled meeting with old friends. The great occasion ended with the hearty meal and unforgettable photo sessions.

The PCP article (19 Dec) on China's economic development and taking out 500 million people out of poverty is indeed very interesting. Many political and economic policies and actions are cited for this, however, the most important and effective policy of 'One child per family' is completely ignored! This is the main reason for China's prosperity and this is why it is bound to lead mankind in near future in the global village.

There are many educational institutions in urban areas. Most of the institutions are situated in the buildings used for commercial purposes, with markets, shopping centres, etc., adjacent to them. And there is no playground in these institutions.

China's ambassador Zhang Yan has said the relations between China and India is fragile. I appreciate him for his aptness in choosing correct diplomatic adjective and obviously for his outspoken remark. India should take it positively bearing in mind that an outspoken enemy is better than a reserve friend. We hope Indian media and the govt. stakeholders will take it positively, and consider this a step to erase the misunderstanding between the two countries.

At last, the present govt. headed by Sheikh Hasina has come forward to implement some important projects which will greatly benefit common people as well as help develop economic condition of the country.

There is hardly any doubt that women these days are still striving for attaining their rights. Though they are contributing a lot to the society, they cannot reach their goals as a whole. However, it should be admitted that women are playing a great role in RMG sector which paves the way for achieving the highest currency for the country.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been named "Man of the Year" by France's Le Monde newspaper, one of the five publications to cooperate with the whistleblowing website on its latest release of leaked documents.

Arts & Entertainment

An eight-day solo photography exhibition opened on December 17 at Drik Gallery, Dhaka. With the title, “Immersed in Water”, the exhibition features Masuma Pia's 51 striking images that have taken her eight long years of hard work. Director General of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Chowdhury with others inaugurated the exhibition.

Bengal Foundation's endeavour to recognise and provide a platform to talented, young singers across the country began in 2006. The talent hunt, known as 'Bengal Bikhash Pratibha Anneshan', stood out for its focus on traditional genres. A group of renowned artistes, led by the late Waheedul Haque, helped Bengal to discover the talents.

Five years in the pipeline, “Aashor”, a rock compilation, hit the market on November 12 under the banner of Gaanchil. From big names like LRB to young, emerging bands from Dhaka and Chittagong, rock fans will get a taste of 14 fresh tracks -- all likely to make it to playlists for years to come. Moktadir Dewan Shanto coordinated the album.

Art should not be fettered by geographical boundaries, said renowned Bangladeshi painter Abdus Shakur Shah. “To promote art and culture there should be less security curbs on the movement of people between our two countries,” Shakur, the 1977 Lalit Kala Academy topper and 1991 Japan Excellence Award recipient, told the media in Kolkata on Tuesday night at an exhibition of his paintings embossed with textile designs.

Quazi Krishnakali Islam, better known as Krishnakali, is recognised as a gifted lyricist, a deft composer and an emotive singer. An ardent feminist and social activist, she is deeply involved with Biplabi Nari Shanghati, a socio-political organisation working -- among other pressing issues -- for women's rights.

OP-ED

Wikileaks rendering of commandeered official communications between the US State Department and its embassies world-over in their website will be viewed in different ways depending on which side of the fence one is on. Although most of the cables deal with analyses, some based on assumptions, some on local assessments, and yet many on shared information of diplomats of other countries on similar errands, some indeed have helped to reconfirm the geo-strategic aspirations of the only superpower on earth. No wonder the US government has given Mr. Assange the new appellation "high-tech terrorist."

The recent exchange of invectives between two major political camps targeting each other's patriarchs is an ominous sign of acerbic politics corroding into its foundations. If Awami League is trying to vilify Ziaur Rahman and BNP is trying to undermine Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it only shows that our bankrupt politics has nothing left to do but abuse its own stalwarts. Even a better analogy: a prodigal son having spent all his money is going after family treasure.

If any reminding was necessary, torture in custody on political grounds and directions was a reprehensible feature of the BNP Jamaat Alliance Government. I know this for a fact and can vouch for it first-hand based on my own personal experience as can I am certain, individuals such as Muntasir Mamun, Shahriar Kabir, Mohiudding Khan Alamgir, Bahauddin Nasim, BSS and Reuters Correspondent of that time, Enam and a vast number of others.

In the aftermath of the WikiLeaks disclosure of US diplomatic documents, we are all nervous and wondering when the other shoe will drop. The reason for us being concerned about leaks is very simple. We have all in our lifetime written many emails, letters, memos, and what have you to the White House in support of various causes, some popular and some unpopular.

Anis went to attend a Christmas party in Gulshan. But unlike others, he felt he wasn't enjoying the occasion. Rather than becoming a party pooper, he left the place and before returning home in Dhanmondi, he decided to spend some quality time with his friends. But for that, he had to call a number of people to know their whereabouts at that moment.

Apple Inc has joined a growing number of U.S. companies that have severed ties with WikiLeaks, removing an application from its online store that gave users access to the controversial website's content.

Microsoft Corp is working on a version of its core Windows operating system for devices such as tablets, according to media reports on Tuesday, and the company said its Windows Phone 7 software is making headway in the booming smartphone market.